Sustainable & Connected: Santa Monica continues to pursue climate goals with Energy Performance Approach
September 26, 2024 11:38 AM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Sept. 26, 2024) — The City Council adopted amendments to the building code on Tuesday that will continue Santa Monica’s leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Energy Performance Approach, adopted unanimously, was developed as an alternative pathway to Santa Monica’s 2022 Zero Emissions Code, which requires that all new buildings be fully electric with exemptions for commercial kitchens, medical facilities and labs.
The Zero Emissions Code drastically reduces the carbon footprint of Santa Monica’s new building stock and ensures improved indoor air quality for building occupants by eliminating the use of natural gas.
In light of a 2023 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, Santa Monica now joins a growing body of state and local policymakers identifying local amendments as the preferred alternative approach in continuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Other cities that have adopted similar alternative policies include San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Encinitas and Brisbane.
The Energy Performance Approach includes requirements for new buildings that would result in lower operational greenhouse gas emissions by applying an increased source energy margin requirement to all new buildings – both electric and mixed-fuel designs. While the proposed approach is less effective at reducing greenhouse gas emissions than the all-electric Zero Emission Building Code, the adopted alternative provides the best and most timely opportunity to continue pursuing the Council’s adopted climate action goals.
“As a leadership sustainable city, Santa Monica is on the forefront of reducing negative environmental impacts while benefiting social and economic wellbeing,” said Chief Sustainability Officer Shannon Parry. “As we celebrate 30 years of positive impact from implementing the Sustainable City Plan, we continue to look forward at ways to improve community resiliency and achieve water self-sufficiency, zero waste and carbon neutrality.”
The Energy Performance Approach continues to advance the council’s priority of Sustainable and Connected as well as helping pursue the city’s climate action goal of reducing communitywide carbon emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality (zero carbon dioxide emissions) by 2050 or sooner.
The city’s Climate Action Plan goals are included in the Sustainable City Plan, which celebrates its 30th Anniversary of adoption this month as part of Sustainable September.
The Energy Performance Approach amendment ordinance will go into effect 30 days after the Sept. 24 second reading. For details, see the staff report here.
Media Contact
Tati Simonian
Public Information Officer
Tati.Simonian@santamonica.gov
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